“Dech Ism,” former Deputy Minister of Interior (MOI 3), insists he is not involved in local exam fraud. He points out the timeline where the Department of Local Administration announced Srinakharinwirot University as the winner of the exam contract four days before he took office. He revealed he received complaints about the exam process and had discussed fact-finding with the Minister of Justice.
On 24 June 2026, Mr. Dech Ism Khaothong, former Deputy Minister of Interior, clarified the facts regarding the competitive examination project for recruiting personnel into local government organizations. He stated that concerning reports about his role while serving as Deputy Minister of Interior (MOI 3) related to the conduct of this competitive exam, he would like the media and public to be informed of the facts as follows.
1. He received the royal command appointing him as Deputy Minister of Interior on 30 June 2025 and left the position on 19 September 2025.
2. During his tenure, the Minister of Interior assigned him to oversee the Department of Lands and the Department of Local Administration (DLA).
3. Four days before he took office, on 26 June 2025, the Department of Local Administration, under then-Director-General Mr. Naruecha Kosa Sivilai, announced Srinakharinwirot University as the winner of the project's bidding process.
4. Later, on 4 July 2025, Surindra Rajabhat University filed an appeal against the evaluation results. According to the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act, the project owner agency must follow legal procedures by submitting the appeal to the Appeal and Complaint Committee at the Comptroller General’s Department for adjudication.
5. While the appeal was under review, he received reports and complaints from local government executives and some officials expressing doubts about the transparency of the exam process. There were allegations of bribery or payoff demands related to recruitment, which are serious matters affecting public trust.
6. After the appointment of the new Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, Police Lieutenant Colonel Popchanok Cholanukroh, they discussed how to proceed. He proposed canceling the bidding results and reopening the competition to ensure transparency and public confidence. The Director-General agreed in principle. However, since the matter was still under consideration by the Comptroller General’s Department, they had to await its decision before taking further action.
7. Additionally, he raised these concerns with Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, to have relevant agencies, especially the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), investigate the facts concurrently if evidence of wrongdoing emerged.
8. However, before the Comptroller General’s Department completed its review, he left his position as Deputy Minister of Interior on 19 September 2025, so he was unable to follow up or take further action as supervisor.
Mr. Dech Ism affirmed that throughout his tenure, he acted with integrity, transparency, and prioritizing public interest, conducting all actions within his legal authority and prescribed procedures.
